118 NUT GROWING 



but the graft allowed to grow after the graft is 

 surely under way. With top-worked trees it is a 

 different matter. When the shoots have started from 

 a scion and have made excellent growth we may 

 then allow some of the natural shoots of the tree 

 to grow for the remainder of the first season. If 

 this is not done the tree cannot store up enough nu- 

 triment for its root and stock system for the next 

 year's growth. If a limited number of natural shoots 

 are allowed to grow it prevents the new graft shoots 

 from growing so large as to require elaborate brac- 

 ing against gusts of wind before they are securely 

 united. In the second year fewer of the natural 

 shoots belonging to the stock need be left to grow 

 and nourish the tree and in the third year they may 

 be removed entirely, leaving none but the graft 

 shoots to grow. The degree to which natural shoots 

 of the stock tree are allowed to grow in connection 

 with graft shoots is a matter requiring nice judg- 

 ment, and introduces an element of art into this 

 branch of horticulture. If all of the natural shoots 

 are allowed to grow from the stock tree that has 

 been trimmed back for top-working purposes prac- 

 tically every one of the grafts will be killed, appar- 

 ently by repressive hormones from stock shoots. We 

 must always remember that the propagation of trees 

 is an art. Various artists will display their respec- 

 tive individualities in almost every step of the work. 

 One man will have famous results where others fail. 

 Some trees, like the shagbark hickories, possess 

 a limited number of latent buds. On that account 



